Renovated, repurposed buildings in Mass.

Boston is well-known as a historical city — the Cradle of Liberty produced some sturdy buildings. If one goes into disrepair, there are numerous restoration societies that aim to keep the city's historic buildings up and running. Here’s a look at some of Boston's renovated and repurposed buildings where the outside is the same, but the inside is very different.
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Creative Commons

Before: New England Museum of Natural History— Built in French-Academic style, this building, which sits at the intersection of Berkeley and Boylston streets, housed Boston’s natural history museum from 1864-1946. It was also home to the Bonwit Teller department store and high-end retailer LouisBoston until a new owner came in about two years ago. The building is now...Next

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Now: Restoration Hardware—Nearly two years ago, Restoration Hardware announced plans to move into the historic building. The store was set to open in December 2012, but incomplete renovations prevented that from happening. An opening party held on March 6 drew police officers and fire officials due to overcrowding. The Globe reported city officials said it can’t open until some maintenance issues—including the fire alarm, exhaust system, and elevator—are taken care of.
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Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe/File 2012

Before: Romney campaign headquarters—The building at 585 Commercial St. served as Mitt Romney’s campaign headquarters during the 2012 presidential campaign. According to the Globe, there was talk of turning the building into a luxury condiminium tower when Romney moved in in late 2006. It is now...Next

Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Now: new elementary school.—In March 2013, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced plans to buy the property as a site for a new downtown elementary school. If approved by the City Council and the School Committee, the school could accommodate about 500 students in kindergarden through eighth grade. It would open in September 2016.

The Boston Arena—The St. Botolph Street athletic arena is the original home of the Bruins and the Celtics. It was also the original site of Boston’s annual Beanpot hockey tournament. It is now....Next

Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe

Matthews Arena—The almost 103-year-old arena has been renovated several times and is now home to the men’s hockey, women’s hockey, and men’s basketball teams at Northeastern University. Northeastern bought the building in 1979.
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Globe archive

Before: Boston Police headquarters — Built in 1925, the Boston Police headquarters on Berkeley Street was the last major Italian Renaissance revival building erected in the city. It was boarded up in 1998. The building is now ...Next

Christina Reinwald for Boston.com

Now: The Back Bay Hotel — In 2004, the Boston police headquarters reopened as the 225-room Jurys Boston Hotel, and the luxury lodging ordered a new address: 350 Stuart St. It was re-branded as The Back Bay Hotel in 2009. Keeping with its history, the hotel has an Irish bar named Cuffs.
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David L. Ryan / Globe Staff

Before: Necco — For the company’s 150th anniversary, a giant Necco wafer decorated the water tower on top of the Cambridge facility. The company is well-known for its wafers and conversation hearts for Valentine's Day. Necco manufactured its signature candy in Cambridge for over 70 years. The company moved to Revere in 2003. The building is now ...Next

George Rizer / Globe Staff

Now: Novartis — Novartis Biomedical Research company renovated the six-floor building before it moved in. Novartis redecorated the water tower with its own logo atop the building near Central Square.
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John Blanding / Globe Staff

Before: Danvers State Hospital — The Danvers State Hospital opened in 1878 as a psychiatric hospital. It closed and was abandoned in 1992. Pictured: The Kirkbride building on the grounds of the former Danvers State Hospital in 2002. The building is now ...Next

Wendy Maeda / Globe Staff

Now: Avalon Danvers — In 2008, Avalon Communitites completed development of the Danvers State Hospital into an apartment and condominium complex. The 433-unit complex endured a fire and the poor economy to fill most of its apartments in 2010.
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Edward Carr / Globe archive

Before: Charles Street Jail — The jail in Beacon Hill (pictured in 1913) opened more than 160 years ago and has housed some famous inmates, including Malcolm X. Prisoners revolted in 1973 because of poor living conditions. The last inmates were moved to the Suffolk County Jail in 1990. The building is now ...Next

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Now: The Liberty Hotel — The new hotel opened in 2007. It cost $150 million to renovate the 298-room hotel. Part of the building's new features include a 16-story tower addition and bars named Alibi and Clink.
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Globe archive

Before: Eustis Street Firehouse — According to Historic Boston Inc., this is the oldest remaining firehouse structure in Boston. Built in 1859, it had a stable for horses that pulled hook and ladder equipment. The building is now ...Next

Historic Boston Inc.

Now: Historic Boston — The building was empty and dilapidated for more than 50 years before Historic Boston began restoration. Eustis Street Firehouse became Historic Boston's headquarters in 2011.
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Historic Boston Inc.

Before: Corner Bookstore Building — This building from 1712 was originally an apothecary and office. Anne Hutchinson owned the store before she was exiled, and it became a bookstore. "The Scarlet Letter" and "Walden" were published here. The undated photos shows the building as a pizza parlor. The building is now ...Next

Christina Reinwald for Boston.com

Now: Corner Bookstore Building — The Downtown Crossing staple at Washington and School streets began its restoration in 1960. In 1985, Historic Boston redesigned the interior to better utilize abandoned space on upper floors and restored the building's 19th century street level appearance. Currently, a Chipotle Mexican Grill occupies its main space.
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Historic Boston Inc.

Before: The Hayden Building — Built in 1875, the Hayden Building is the last surviving commercial building designed by famous architect H.H. Richardson. Historic Boston bought the Chinatown building, located at 681 Washington St., in 1993. It was previously an adult entertainment site. The building is now ...Next

Historic Boston Inc.

Now: The Hayden Building — After the 1993 purchase, the building's structure was stabilized and the exterior was rehabilitated. Historic Boston sold the building next door to help finance the redevelopment of the Hayden Building into four loft-style apartments.
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Charles Dixon / Globe archive

Before: Custom House — The Custom House tower was once the tallest building in Boston and a landmark for shipping and commerce. The building was used for collecting taxes from incoming ships. By 1976, it appeared dwarfed by its neighbors, pictured. The building is now ...Next

Christina Reinwald for Boston.com

Now: Marriott Custom House — After 1987, the Custom House was unoccupied until it was developed into vacation condominiums in 1995. The Marriott features an observation deck on the 26th floor.
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Tom Landers / Globe Staff

Before: The Little Building — One of downtown Boston's biggest intersections at Boylston and Tremont streets meets at the Little Building. Designed in 1917 by Clarence Blackall, the architect of many of the best Boston buildings of his day, including the Wang, the Wilbur, and the Colonial theaters, the classic building originally housed offices. It connected directly to the Boylston T station. The building is now ...Next

Christina Reinwald for Boston.com

Now: The Little Building — After a debt foreclosure, Emerson College bought the Little Building for $5 million in 1994. The renovation cost $13 million.The old retail arcade now houses school offices, a Dunkin' Donuts, an ATM, a copy shop, and a cafeteria. The upper floors of the 12-story building were converted into dorm rooms.
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